Essays and Reports A guide

Types of Scientific Writing b Factual account of accepted knowledge  Textbooks, many student essays b Reporting what has been found  Lab reports, research papers b Arguing a point of view  interpreting data  making a case

Types of writing b Essays  Extended piece of writing on a single theme  Is in the form of continuous text  In the form of introduction, main section, conclusion b Report  Account of findings from an activity or project (e.g. lab report)  Usually divided into sections by headings  May contain recommendations for action  written in a concise style

Guidelines for writing b Read the given title carefully b Be sure you are clear what is being asked b Gather your information  Keep notes of sources and information b Produce an outline plan b Write a draft - this need not be too neat b Read through your draft and make changes as needed b Submit when you are satisfied

Look at the title b The words used in the title give a clue to what is needed b A factual account will contain words like describe, explain, Illustrate in the title. b An essay want a case making will contain words like discuss, evaluate, analyse. b Sometimes comparisons are wanted; e.g. compare, contrast, distinguish.

Gathering information b Try always to base your answers on more than one source of information. b As you read, make notes. b Keep a record of your sources. b Ensure you know how to reference properly  Look at the DISSC website (

Plagiarism b Plagiarism is passing someone else’s work off as your own. It is cheating and is taken seriously. b Strategies to avoid plagiarism  Keep notes as you read - in your own words - and use these to construct your answers.  Keep a notebook with you for this purpose.  Avoid printing or photocopying your source material if at all possible  Always make reference to your sources  If you must use the words of your source make it obvious you are quoting and state your source  Quote sparingly.

Planning b A plan is an outline of your answer b It should show the shape of your answer without giving detail b It can be in the form of headings and sub headings or as a diagram

Sample plan 1 b Title b Introduction b Main argument  evidence for  evidence against  evaluation of evidence b Other issues b Conclusion

Sample plan 2

Writing up b Start with a draft  It does not have to be  Neat  Legible to anyone but you b Use a word processor  Making changes is much easier b Remember to reference properly

For more help & Info b DISSC   You may also visit DISSC in the LRC b These notes may be found on my website   Select Learning Skills from the main menu.